Reports Send Mixed Signals About Inflation

Sat., Sept. 7, 1996

From Wire Reports

A flurry of reports this week offered a confusing picture about future economic trends:

The Commerce Department said construction spending fell 1.4 percent in July to an annual rate of $554.7 billion. That’s the lowest level since February, when winter blizzards slowed construction spending to an annual pace of $544.6 billion.

The National Association of Purchasing Management said its manufacturing index rose to 52.6 last month from 50.2 in July - only slightly above analysts’ expectations for a 52.1 reading.

The Labor Department reported that the number of Americans filing first-time claims for unemployment benefits fell by 15,000 last week. The drop raised concern among investors that the Federal Reserve Bank will boost interest rates to slow economic growth.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Reports Send Mixed Signals About Inflation

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

She was murdered 40 years ago. Her killer was found using a Wingstop cup

Pentagon is censoring military newspaper Stars and Stripes, lawsuit alleges

Zelenskiy, in open letter, invites Putin to talks to end the war